What is Design?

Creation of Adam, The Sistine Chapel, 1508-12

What is design?...Often considered Renaissance men, Michelangelo and Da Vinci are not called designers...why?

The word origin of “design” actually goes back to the 1500’s Latin “designare” to mark out or devise but the concept of design as a practice is a 20th century concept that includes many different mediums. So while both Michelangelo and Da Vinci acted as designers, and are relevant to design, they were not considered designers in their time.

Design can be simply defined as advance planning of function & form.

1. How do we normally think about design in daily life?

Design provides solutions to daily needs. Most design leads to further design, as in the invention of the wheel leads to wheel repair methods above. Design can also be simply subtle improvement.

Improved function means that the design object remains essentially the same in form but works more efficiently.

Improved form means that the design functions exactly the same but has a better or more aesthetically appealing form.

When design improves both function and form there is a design leap in the object that cannot often lead to success and transform the object entirely.

2. What is design practice and the difference between design process, objects and discourse?

Design practice includes all three. The process is the researching, planning and creating phases. The objects are the specific design materials created. Discourse is the ongoing conversation and writing about design.

3. How does the design process begin?

Most design arrives to fix a problem, by creative inspiration or by a client assignment.

4. How can our personal thinking both inform and limit our approach to design?

You and your values - your identity of age, gender, ethnicity, origin, faith - can influence the point of view on design and the choices you make in designing. You are also part of a larger social context of the time influencing your work.

5. What is the role for research?

Design requires ongoing research. Project to project there are different lengths of research but all design requires some investigating. At every step of the process designers are consulting the past for inspiration and seeing what is developing in design and other fields.